Volkswagen Tiguan

The redesigned Tiguan, now in its third generation, sees improvements in some areas, but downgrades in others, most notably the usability of its controls. The standard 201-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is energetic, with healthy midrange torque, and the Tiguan is competitively quick from 0 to 60 mph. Unfortunately, the powertrain suffers from some low-speed delays, the eight-speed automatic doesn't always shift smoothly, and fuel economy dropped by 1 mpg, to 24 mpg overall. Agile handling is a high point but the ride is quite firm. The front seats are very comfortable and the rear seat is super roomy. Cabin fit and finish is nicer than most compact SUVs.